Portable infant carrier

ABSTRACT

An infant carrier includes a set and a carry handle coupled to the seat. The carry handle is mounted for movement relative to the seat.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/445,848, filed Jan. 13, 2017, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a juvenile seat, and particularly toan infant carrier. More particularly, the present disclosure relates toan infant carrier with a shoulder strap.

SUMMARY

A child restraint in accordance with the present disclosure includes aninfant carrier. In illustrative embodiments, the child restraint furtherincludes a shoulder grip adapted to engage the shoulder of a caregiverduring shoulder transport of the infant carrier by the caregiver.

In illustrative embodiments, the infant carrier includes a seat bucketsized to receive an infant and a carry handle coupled to the seatbucket. The carry handle is coupled to opposing side portions of theseat bucket and arranged to extend laterally over an infant-receivingspace formed in the seat bucket and to interconnect the opposing sideportions. The seat bucket also includes two opposing end portions andthe shoulder grip is coupled to the opposing end portions and arrangedto extend longitudinally over the infant-receiving space and the carryhandle and to interconnect the opposing end portions.

In illustrative embodiments, the shoulder grip and the seat bucketcooperate to form two separate quick-connect-and-release connectors sothat each end of the shoulder grip can be attached to and removed fromthe seat bucket quickly and easily by a caregiver without disrupting aninfant at rest in the seat bucket. A snap connection, a post-and-slotconnection, or other suitable quick-connect mechanism can be used toestablish each quick-connect-and-release connector and is within thescope of the present disclosure.

In illustrative embodiments, the shoulder grip includes a semi-rigidU-shaped handle and first and second extensible handle anchors. Thefirst extensible handle anchor is coupled to a first end of the U-shapedhandle and configured to mate with the first end portion of the seatbucket. The second extensible handle anchor is coupled to an oppositesecond end of the U-shaped handle and configured to mate with theopposite second end portion of the seat bucket.

In illustrative embodiments, the seat bucket includes a shell formed toinclude the infant-receiving space. The first end portion of the seatbucket includes a front end of the shell and a first anchor bracketcoupled to the front end of the shell. The second end portion of theseat bucket includes a rear end of the shell and a second anchor bracketcoupled to the rear end of the shell.

In illustrative embodiments, the first extensible handle anchor includesa lockable first bracket mount configured to mate with the first anchorbracket that is associated with the front end of the shell and a firstadjustable-length flexible webbing arranged to interconnect the firstend of the U-shaped handle and the lockable first bracket mount. Thelockable first bracket mount and the first anchor bracket cooperate todefine the first quick-connect-and-release connector.

In illustrative embodiments, the second extensible handle anchorincludes a lockable second bracket mount configured to mate with thesecond anchor bracket that is associated with the rear end of the shelland a second adjustable-length flexible webbing arranged to interconnectthe second end of the U-shaped handle and the lockable second bracketmount. The lockable second bracket mount and the second anchor bracketcooperate to define the second quick-connect-and-release connector.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed disclosure particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child restraint in accordance with thepresent disclosure showing that the child restraint includes an infantcarrier having a seat bucket and a laterally extending carry handlecoupled to the side portions of the seat bucket and a longitudinallyextending shoulder grip coupled to the end portions of the seat bucketand showing that the seat bucket and the shoulder grip cooperate to formtwo separate quick-connect-and-release connectors for use by a caregiverto attach and detach the shoulder grip quickly and easily;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a caregiver using the shoulder gripto carry the seat bucket at waist level to transport an infant locatedin an infant-receiving space formed in the seat bucket; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective assembly view of components thatcooperate to form the child restraint of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing that theshoulder grip includes, in series, a first extensible handle anchor thatis configured to mate quickly and easily with a first anchor bracketincluded in a first end portion of the seat bucket, a semi-rigidU-shaped handle, and a second extensible handle anchor that isconfigured to mate quickly and easily with a second anchor bracketincluded in an opposite second end portion of the seat bucket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A child restraint 10 in accordance with the present disclosure includesan infant carrier 11 comprising a seat bucket 12, a shoulder grip 14,and a carry handle 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Seat bucket 12 isformed to include an infant-receiving space 16. Shoulder grip 14 iscoupled to seat bucket 12 using first and secondquick-connect-and-release connectors 21, 22 as suggested in FIG. 1.Shoulder grip 14 is arranged to extend longitudinally along the lengthof seat bucket 12 when in use in an over-the-shoulder orientation by acaregiver as shown in FIG. 2 to carry the seat bucket 12 to transport aninfant. Carry handle 18 is arranged to extend laterally overinfant-receiving space 16 as shown in FIG. 1. Carry handle 18 is unusedand lies alongside the torso of the caregiver when shoulder grip 14 isused by a caregiver so suggested in FIG. 2.

Child restraint 10 also includes a carrier-support base 13 adapted tosupport the infant carrier 11 in a vehicle passenger seat (not shown)when the seat bucket 12 is used to transport an infant in a vehicle.Shoulder grip 14 can be separated from seat bucket 12 by a caregiver inaccordance with the present disclosure and stored on board seat bucket12 when seat bucket 12 is mounted on carrier-support base 13 for use ina vehicle.

Shoulder grip 14 includes a semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140, a firstextensible handle anchor 141, and a second extensible handle anchor 142as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. To adapt the seat bucket 12 to becarried by a caregiver away from the vehicle in an at-the-waist mode asshown in FIG. 2, shoulder grip 14 is arranged to extend longitudinallyalong the length of seat bucket 12. First extensible handle anchor 141is coupled to a first anchor bracket 121 included at a first end portion12EP1 of seat bucket 12 to establish a first quick-connect-and-releaseconnector 21 as suggested, for example, in FIG. 1 second extensiblehandle anchor is coupled to a second anchor bracket 122 included in anopposite second end portion 12EP2 of seat bucket 12 as shown, forexample, in FIG. 1.

Semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140 of shoulder grip 14 is made of an elasticplastics material in an illustrative embodiment for easy grip and carry.U-shaped handle 140 has an initial narrow shape along its length assuggested in FIG. 3 but can be deformed elastically to assume atemporary broader shape along its length as suggested in FIG. 1.

First extensible handle anchor 141 includes a lockable first bracketmount 141M and a first adjustable-length flexible webbing 141W as shownin FIG. 3. First bracket mount 141M is configured to mate with andseparate from the first anchor bracket 121 included in first end portion12EP1 of seat bucket 12 at the option of the caregiver as suggested inFIG. 1. First adjustable-length flexible webbing 141W is arranged tointerconnect a first end 140E1 of U-shaped handle 140 and the lockablefirst bracket mount 141M as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2. Flexible webbing141W can be adjusted in length by the caregiver to help establish thecarrying height of seat bucket 12 above the underlying ground.

Second extensible handle anchor 142 includes a lockable second bracketmount 142M and a second adjustable-length flexible webbing 142W as shownin FIG. 3. Second bracket mount 142M is configured to mate with andseparate from the second anchor bracket 122 included in second endportion 12EP2 of seat bucket 12 at the option of the caregiver assuggested in FIG. 1. Second adjustable-length flexible webbing 142W isarranged to interconnect a second end 140E2 of U-shaped handle 140 andthe lockable second bracket mount 142M as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.Flexible webbing 142W can be adjusted in length by the caregiver to helpestablish the carrying height of seat bucket 12 above the underlyingground.

Seat bucket 12 includes a shell 120 that is formed to include theinfant-receiving space 16 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 3. Firstanchor bracket 121 is mounted on a front end 120F of shell 120 usingfirst quick-connect-and-release connector 21 and second anchor bracket122 is mounted on a rear end 120R of shell 120 using secondquick-connect-and-release connection 22 as shown, for example, in FIG.3.

Infant carrier 11 also includes a carry handle 18 coupled to seat bucket12 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 3. Carry handle 18 isstationary in illustrative embodiments. It is within the scope of thisdisclosure to mount carry handle 18 for pivotable movement about alaterally extending handle-pivot axis 18A. Carry handle 18 is arrangedto extend laterally over infant-receiving space 16 and is coupled toopposite side portions of shell 120 of seat bucket 12 as shown, forexample in FIGS. 1 and 3. Carry handle 18 includes a central hand grip18G and is used by a caregiver to carry the seat bucket 12 in anat-the-knees mode (not shown).

In illustrative embodiments, first bracket mount 141M includes a plate141P and a button 141B that is coupled to the plate 141P and configuredto snap into a button receiver 14R formed in the companion first anchorbracket 121 mounted on shell 120 to establish firstguide-connect-and-release connector 21 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3.First adjustable-length flexible webbing 141W is arranged to passthrough and slide in a web-receiver slot formed in plate 141P assuggested in FIG. 3 so that the caregiver can adjust the length ofwebbing 141W.

Second bracket mount 142M includes a plate 142P and button 142B that iscoupled to plate 142P and configured to snap into a button receiver 14Rformed in the companion second quick-connect-and-release connector 22 assuggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. Second adjustable-length flexible webbing142W is arranged to pass through and slide on a web-receiver slot formedin plate 142P as suggested in FIG. 3 so that the caregiver can adjustthe length of webbing 142W.

Shoulder grip 14 can be snapped into engagement with seat bucket 12 by acaregiver along the centerline of shell 120 at the head and foot endsusing the first and second quick-connect and-release connections 21, 22as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. Shoulder grip 14 can be disengaged andstored when not in use. Carry handle 18 can be used by the caregiver tocarry seat bucket 12 whether shoulder grip 14 is engaged or disengaged.

Shoulder grip 14 can be used by a caregiver to carry infant carrier 11hands free for an extended period of time in an over-the-shoulder modeas shown in FIG. 2. The semi-rigid character of the U-shaped handle 140will prevent shoulder grip 14 from becoming tangled and make it easierfor the caregiver to lift the shoulder grip 14 over their head whileputting it on or taking it off. Each end of the shoulder grip 14 has asturdy decoupling mechanism 141M, 142M allowing for easy removal ofshoulder grip 14 when it is not needed.

Infant carrier 11 includes seat bucket 12 and carry handle 18 as shownin FIG. 3. Carry handle 18 is coupled to the laterally spaced-apartfirst and second side portions 31, 32 of seat bucket 12. Carry handle 18is arranged to extend laterally over the infant-receiving space 16formed in seat bucket 12.

Shoulder grip 14 includes a semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140 adapted toengage the shoulder of a caregiver during shoulder transport of infantcarrier 11 by the caregiver as suggested in FIG. 2. Shoulder grip 14also includes first and second extensible handle anchors 141, 142 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3. First extensible handle anchor 141 is coupled toa first end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140 and mated to a firstend portion 12EP1 of seat bucket 12. Second extensible handle anchor 142is coupled to an opposite second end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle140 and mated to second end portion 12EP2 of seat bucket 12 and to causeshoulder grip 14 to extend longitudinally between first and second endportions 12EP1, 12EP2 of seat bucket 12 to locate carry handle 18between seat bucket 12 and the semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140 ofshoulder grip 14 during shoulder transport of infant carrier by thecaregiver using shoulder grip 14 as suggest in FIG. 2.

Seat bucket 12 includes a shell 15 formed to include theinfant-receiving space 16 as suggested in FIG. 1. First end portion12EP1 of seat bucket 12 includes a front end of shell 15 and a firstanchor bracket 121 coupled to front end of shell 15 and to firstextensible handle anchor 141. Second end portion 12EP1 of seat bucket 12includes an opposite rear end of shell 15 and a second anchor bracket122 coupled to the opposite rear end of shell 15 and to secondextensible handle anchor 142.

First extensible handle anchor 141 includes a first bracket mount 141Mmated with the first anchor bracket 121 associated with the front end ofshell 15 and a first adjustable-length flexible webbing 141W arranged tointerconnect a first end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle 140 and firstbracket mount 141M as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3. First bracket mount141M includes a first plate 141P slidably coupled to the firstadjustable-length flexible webbing 141W and first mating means coupledto first plate 141P for releasably mating with first anchor bracket 121to tether first extensible handle anchor 141 to first anchor bracket121. First anchor bracket 121 is formed to include a button receiver 14Rand the mating means is a button 141B configured to engage and disengagethe button receiver 14R formed in first anchor bracket 121.

Second extensible handle anchor 142 includes a second bracket mount 142Mmated with the second anchor bracket 122 associated with the oppositerear end of shell 15 and a second adjustable-length flexible webbing142W arranged to interconnect an opposite second end of the semi-rigidU-shaped handle 140 and second bracket mount 142M. Second bracket mount142M includes a second plate 142P slidably coupled to the secondadjustable-length flexible webbing 142W and second mating means coupledto the second plate 142P for releasably mating with the second anchorbracket 122 to tether the second extensible handle anchor 142 to thesecond anchor bracket 122.

The laterally spaced-apart first and second side portions 31, 32 areseparated by a first distance as suggested in FIG. 3. The longitudinallyspaced-apart first and second end portions 12EP1, 12EP2 are separated bya relatively longer second distance as also suggested in FIG. 3. Carryhandle 18 has a first length that extends from side portion 31 to sideportion 32 and is greater than the first distance and lesser than thesecond distance. Shoulder grip 14 has a second length that is longerthan the second distance as suggested in FIG. 1.

The carry handle 18 includes a middle portion 18M that lies at a firstheight above a floor 12F of the seat bucket 12 as suggested in FIG. 1.Shoulder grip 14 includes a middle portion 14M that lies at a relativelygreater second height above floor 12F when used by the caregiver totransport seat bucket 11 to locate middle portion 18F of carry handle 18between floor 12F and middle portion 14M of shoulder grip 14 assuggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

An infant carrier 11 includes a seat bucket 12, a rigid stationary carryhandle 18, and a shoulder grip 14 as suggested in FIGS. 1-3. Carryhandle 18 has a first length and is arranged to extend upwardly awayfrom floor 12F of seat bucket 12 and laterally between first and secondside walls 31, 32 of seat bucket 12. Shoulder grip 14 is coupled at oneend to a foot end of seat bucket 12 and an opposite end to a head end ofseat bucket 12 that is located in longitudinally spaced-apart relationto the foot end to locate the rigid stationary carry handle 18therebetween. Shoulder grip 14 includes a U-shaped handle 140 that isarranged to lie above the rigid stationary carry handle 18 when acaregiver is using only shoulder grip 14 to transport seat bucket 12 asshown in FIG. 2.

1. An infant carrier comprising a seat bucket formed to include aninfant-receiving space, the seat bucket including a first side portion,a second side portion arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relationto the first side portion to locate the infant-receiving spacetherebetween, a first end portion arranged to extend between alignedfirst ends of the first and second side portions and form a boundary ofthe infant-receiving space, and a second end portion arranged to lie inlongitudinally spaced-apart relation to the first end portion to locatethe infant-receiving space therebetween and arranged to extend betweenaligned opposite second ends of the first and second side portions, acarry handle coupled to the laterally spaced-apart first and second sideportions of the seat bucket and arranged to extend laterally over theinfant-receiving space formed in the seat bucket, and a shoulder gripincluding a semi-rigid U-shaped handle adapted to engage the shoulder ofa caregiver during shoulder transport of the infant carrier by thecaregiver, a first extensible handle anchor coupled to a first end ofthe semi-rigid U-shaped handle and mated to the first end portion of theseat bucket, and a second extensible handle anchor coupled to anopposite second end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle and mated to thesecond end portion of the seat bucket and to cause the shoulder grip toextend longitudinally between the first and second end portions of theseat bucket to locate the carry handle between the seat bucket and thesemi-rigid U-shaped handle of the shoulder grip during shouldertransport of the infant carrier by the caregiver using the shouldergrip.
 2. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein the seat bucket includesa shell formed to include the infant-receiving space, the first endportion of the seat bucket includes a front end of the shell and a firstanchor bracket coupled to the front end of the shell and to the firstextensible handle anchor, the second end portion of the seat bucketincludes an opposite rear end of the shell and a second anchor bracketcoupled to the opposite rear end of the shell and to the secondextensible handle anchor.
 3. The infant carrier of claim 2, wherein thefirst extensible handle anchor includes a first bracket mount mated withthe first anchor bracket associated with the front end of the shell anda first adjustable-length flexible webbing arranged to interconnect afirst end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle and the first bracket mount.4. The infant carrier of claim 3, wherein the first bracket mountincludes a first plate slidably coupled to the first adjustable-lengthflexible webbing and first mating means coupled to the first plate forreleasably mating with the first anchor bracket to tether the firstextensible handle anchor to the first anchor bracket.
 5. The infantcarrier of claim 4, wherein the first anchor bracket is formed toinclude a button receiver and the mating means is a button configured toengage and disengage the button receiver formed in the first anchorbracket.
 6. The infant carrier of claim 3, wherein the second extensiblehandle anchor includes a second bracket mount mated with the secondanchor bracket associated with the opposite rear end of the shell andsecond adjustable-length flexible webbing arranged to interconnect anopposite second end of the semi-rigid U-shaped handle and the secondbracket mount, and the second bracket mount includes a second plateslidably coupled to the second adjustable-length flexible webbing andsecond mating means coupled to the second plate for releasably matingwith the second anchor bracket to tether the second extensible handleanchor to the second anchor bracket.
 7. The infant carrier of claim 1,wherein the laterally spaced-apart first and second side portions areseparated by a first distance, the longitudinally spaced-apart first andsecond end portions are separated by a relatively longer seconddistance, the carry handle has a first length that is greater than thefirst distance and lesser than the second distance, and the shouldergrip has a second length that is longer than the second distance.
 8. Theinfant carrier of claim 7, wherein the carry handle includes a middleportion that lies at a first height above a floor of the seat bucket andthe shoulder grip includes a middle portion that lies at a relativelygreater second height above the floor when used by the caregiver totransport the seat bucket to locate the middle portion of the carryhandle between the floor and the middle portion of the shoulder grip. 9.An infant carrier comprising a seat bucket formed to include aninfant-receiving space, a rigid stationary carry handle having a firstlength and arranged to extend upwardly away from a floor of the seatbucket and laterally between first and second side walls of the seatbucket, and a shoulder grip coupled at one end to a foot end of the seatbucket and an opposite end to a head end of the seat bucket that islocated in longitudinally spaced-apart relation to the foot end tolocate the rigid stationary carry handle therebetween, the shoulder gripincluding a U-shaped handle that is arranged to lie above the rigidstationary carry handle when a caregiver is using only the shoulder gripto transport the seat bucket.